Protective cover for surf craft

ABSTRACT

A protective cover ( 10 ) for a surf craft, the cover ( 10 ) having au upper surface ( 15 ) and a lower surface ( 20 ) and being formed primarily of a substantially inelastic material ( 25 ) and including an elastic portion ( 30 ) formed of an elastic material, wherein the elastic portion ( 30, 35 ) is configured to allow a dimension of the cover ( 10 ) to be expanded.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cover for a surf craft, such as a surfboard and, in particular, it relates to a surf craft cover which allows for some expansion of the cover in at least one dimension.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surfing and other similar activities which rely on the use of surf craft have become very popular in recent times. A significant proportion of the population in Australia (and in other countries which enjoy sections of coastline which are exposed to the sea) engages in such activities at least on an occasional basis.

Surf craft, such as surfboards, are not inexpensive and therefore it is desirable to keep such products in good repair for as long as possible. However, surfboards and other surf craft are often made out of materials (such as polyester foam, fibreglass, resin and epoxy resin) which are quite susceptible to damage, particularly when bumped into or struck by other hard objects. When such surf craft are being transported from one location to another, either by foot, by vehicle or by aeroplane, the risks of being bumped into or struck by a hard object are substantially increased.

Accordingly, covers for surf craft have been developed to provide some protection to the surf craft, particularly when being transported. These covers can conic in different sizes, in different materials and in a range of different qualities.

Surf craft covers are typically formed either of thin, elastic material or of thick inelastic material. A cover formed of thin, elastic material, such as nylon and/or acrylic material, is little more than a textile skin which covers the surf craft and which provides only a small degree of protection to the surf craft, being limited protection against minor bumps and scratches.

Covers formed of thick inelastic material, such as PVC, polyester and/or polyethylene foam, provide substantially greater protection to the surf craft. These protective. covers often also include padding so as to provide additional protection to the surf craft. Accordingly, these types of protective covers are preferred for use when transporting surf craft.

As already noted, the protective covers referred to in the previous paragraph are typically formed of a material which is substantially inelastic. Accordingly, this limits the usefulness of the protective covers and they are limited for use with surf craft of the specified dimension (or smaller). Consequently, a wide range of protective surf craft covers may be required in order to accommodate a correspondingly wide range of surf craft (of differing dimensions).

The range of dimensions of surf craft, such as surfboards, is very large. For instance, surfboards of particular lengths may cone in a wide range of widths and/or thicknesses to accommodate the needs and desires of a range of different surfers. Clearly, the dimensions of a surfboard will have a bearing on the buoyancy of surfboard. Accordingly, larger, older and/or less fit surfers will typically desire a surfboard having greater buoyancy and, therefore, greater width and/or thickness.

Therefore, it would be desirable for protective covers for surf craft, such as surfboards, to be adapted to accommodate surf craft of differing widths and/or thicknesses. It would be particularly desirable for such protective covers to be able to vary in size so as to accommodate said surf craft of differing widths and/or thicknesses.

Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one example, there is provided herein a protective cover for a surf craft, the cover having an upper surface and a lower surface and being formed primarily of a substantially inelastic material and including an elastic portion formed of an elastic material, wherein the elastic portion is configured to allow a dimension of the cover to be expanded.

In yet another aspect, the elastic portion allows for the width of the cover to be expanded.

In a further example, the elastic portion includes an elongate strip of elastic material extending substantially longitudinally along a section of the cover.

In another form, the elongate strip extends along at least half the length of the cover.

Alternatively, the elongate strip extends along at least two thirds the length of the cover.

In yet another form, the elongate strip is located on any one or a combination of the upper surface; and, the lower surface.

According to another example, the elongate strip is formed substantially in the middle of the upper surface, the lower surface, or both the upper surface and lower surface.

In a further example, the width of the elongate strip is less than one half of the width of the cover.

In another example, the width of the elongate strip is less than one third of the width of the cover.

In a further form, the cover has an openable end and a closed end, and a first end of the elongate strip is adjacent the closed end.

According to another example, the openable end includes an opening configured to allow for insertion of the surf craft into the cover, the openable end having a fastening means configured to enable the opening to be closed.

In another aspect, the opening is located intermediate the upper surface and the lower surface of the cover.

In yet another form, the opening extends around the openable end from a first position on a first side to a second position on a second side of the cover.

In one particular example, the first position and the second position are substantially equidistant from the closed end of the cover.

In yet another example, a second end of the elongate strip is located substantially intermediate the first position and the second position.

In a further example, the cover includes an expandable portion adjacent the opening to enable a distance between the upper surface and the lower surface to be selectively increased in a vicinity of the opening.

According to another aspect, the expandable portion includes a concertina formation.

In yet another example, the fastening means includes any one or a combination of a zip; a hook and loop arrangement; and, one or more buttons.

In a further form, the cover tapers off at the closed end.

According to another example, the inelastic material is located around the inelastic material.

In another aspect, the elastic material is attached to the inelastic material.

In a further form, the inelastic material surrounds the elastic material.

In another example, the closed end leads into one or more rounded sides of the cover.

In yet a further form, the one or more rounded sides of the cover extend from the closed end to the openable end.

In another example, the elastic material is shaped similarly to a shape of a face of the cover.

In yet a further example, the elastic material is substantially air-permeable.

According to a further aspect, the cover includes insulation or padding along one or more sides of the cover.

According to a further form, there is provided herein a protective cover for a surf craft, the cover being formed of a plurality of adjoining panels, each of the plurality of panels extending along at least a portion of a length of the cover and being formed at an angle to an axis along the length of the protective cover.

In one example, each of the plurality of panels is formed at a transverse angle to a longitudinal axis along the length of the protective cover.

In yet another example, each of the plurality of panels extends laterally about the protective cover.

According to another aspect, the plurality of adjoining panels extend around the one or more sides of the protective cover.

In yet another aspect, the plurality of adjoining panels includes a series of panels stitched together.

In a further example, each of the plurality of panels is positioned substantially parallel to each adjoining panel.

According to another aspect, the size of each of the plurality of panels is substantially similar along at least a portion of the length of the protective cover.

In a further example, the cover has a closed end and an openable end opposite the closed end, the size of each of the plurality of panels decreases as proximity towards the closed end increases.

In yet another example, a number of the plurality of panels increases per unit of length nearer the closed end.

In a further example, the plurality of panels form a lower surface and/or an upper surface of the protective cover, by connecting to an elongate strip.

According to another form, the elongate strip is formed substantially in the middle of the upper surface and/or the lower surface of the protective cover and each of the plurality of panels are stitched at one panel end to one side of the elongate strip, and at another opposing panel end to an opposing side of the elongate strip.

In a further example at least some of the plurality of panels includes an insulation layer disposed underneath.

In yet another aspect, the cover is the cover of any one of claims 1 to 25.

It will be appreciated that the cover described herein can have any one or a combination of the features described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is an example front view of a cover for a surf craft;

FIG. 1B is an example side view of the cover of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an example a back view of the cover of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is an example side view of the cover of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1E is an example front perspective view of the cover of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1F is an example back perspective view of the cover of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is an example front view of another cover for a surf craft;

FIG. 2B is an example side view of the cover of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is an example back view of the cover of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is an example side view of the cover of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E is an example front perspective view of the cover of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2F is an example back perspective view of the cover of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is an example front view of another cover for a surf craft;

FIG. 3B is an example side view of the cover of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is an example back view of the cover of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is an example side view of the cover of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3E is an example front perspective view of the cover of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3F is an example back perspective view of the cover of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is an example front view of another cover for a surf craft;

FIG. 4B is an example side view of the cover of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is an example back view of the cover of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is an example side view of the cover of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4E is an example front perspective view of the cover of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4F is an example back perspective view of the cover of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is an example front view of another cover for a surf craft;

FIG. 5B is an example back view of the cover of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is an example side opened view of the cover of FIG. 5A;

FIGS. 6A and 6C are example front views of two different covers, showing an example of panel construction with one elastic material; and,

FIGS. 6B and 6D are example front views of two different covers, showing an example of panel construction with an elastic material on both surfaces of the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A to 6D show examples of a cover 10 for a surf craft. In one particular example, the Figures show a protective cover for a surf craft. In one example, the protective cover can be a cover for a surfboard, body board, long board, stand-up paddle board (SUP), or the like.

In these examples the cover 10 has an upper surface 15 and a lower surface 20. The upper surface 15 and the lower surface 20 can be formed primarily of a substantially inelastic material 25 and partially of a elastic portion 30, which can be formed of an elastic material such that when the elastic portion 30 is configured to allow for the cover 10 to be stretched in at least one dimension.

As can be seen in the examples shown, the elastic portion 30 can allow for the width of the cover to be stretched. Thus, the elastic portion 30 in these examples includes an elongate strip 35 extending substantially longitudinally along a section of the cover 10. It will be appreciated that the elastic material 30 can be formed only in one example in the shape of the strip 35, and may also be formed of other relevant shapes. In these examples, the elastic strip 35 extends to at least two thirds the length of the cover 10 but it will be appreciate that it can also extend along at least half the length of the cover 10. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1A to 1F, the elastic strip 35 is provided on the front (or the upper surface 15) of the cover 10.

However, in the examples shown in 2A to 2F, the elongate strip 35 is provided on the front (upper surface 15) or the back (lower surface 20) of the cover 10. Thus, the elongate strip 35 can be located on any one or a combination of the lower surface 20 or the upper surface 15 of the cover 10.

As can also be seen in the Figures, the elongate strip 35, can be formed substantially in the middle of the upper surface 15 or the lower surface 20 or a combination thereof. The width of the elongate strip 35 is also less than half the length of the cover or alternatively can be less than one third of the width of the cover 10.

The cover 10 can also include an operable end 40 and a closed end 45. Thus, the first end 50 of the elongate strip 35 can be formed such that is closest or adjacent to the closed end 45. As also shown in FIGS. 1E, IF, 2E, 2F, 3E, 3F, 4E, 4F and 6C, the openable end 14 can be formed such that it is closest or adjacent to the closed end 45.

As also shown in FIGS. 1E 1F, 2E 2F, 3E 3F, 4E 4F and 6C, the openable end 40 can include an opening which is configure to allow for the insertion of the surf craft into the cover 10. The openable end can have a fastening means 55 or the like to close the surf craft within the cover 10.

In these examples, the opening 52 is located intermediate the upper surface 15 and the lower surface 20 of the cover 10. Further, the opening 52 can extend from a first side 60 to a second side 65 of the cover 10.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1E, 2E, 3E and 4E, the opening 52 can extend from a position on the first side 60 which is substantially in line with the second end 51 of the elongate strip 35 to a position on the second side 65 which is also substantially in line with the second end 51 of the elongate strip 35.

The opening 52 also can include an expandable portion 70. The expandable portion 70 is included such that the opening 52 can deepen by expanding the expandable portion 70. In the examples shown, the expandable portion 70 concertinas to expand and contract.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any fastening means can be used to open and/or close the opening 52. Thus, a zip, a hook and loop arrangement or one or more buttons can be used at the opening 52.

It will also be appreciated that in these examples, the cover 10 tapers off at the closed end 45. However, any shape cover 10 can be used for different shape of surf craft and thus the closed end 45 may be formed of different shapes.

In these examples, the inelastic material 25 is located around the elastic material 35. Thus, the elastic material 35 can be attached to the inelastic material 25 by any means. Further, the inelastic material 25 may surround the elastic material 35.

It will also be appreciated that the closed end 45 leads into one or more rounded sides 75 of the cover 10. The one or more rounded sides 70 of the cover 10 can extend from the closed end 45 to the open end 40 of the cover 10. Further, the cover 10 can include insulation or padding along the one or more sides 70.

In a further example, and as shown in the Figures, the cover 10 can include a plurality of horizontal panels 75. The horizontal panels 75 can be connected along at least a portion of the length of the cover 10, where the plurality of horizontal panels 75 are formed around the one or more rails or sides of the cover 10.

The plurality of horizontal panels 75 can include a series of panels which are stitched together or attached together by any means suitable. In the examples shown, the width of each of the plurality of the panels 75 is substantially similar along at least the portion of the cover 10. Further, the plurality of panels 75, can be formed such that the width of each of the panels 75 decreases towards the closed end 45. Additionally, the number of the plurality of the panels 75 can also increase nearer the closed end such that the cover 10 is more robust at the closed end 45.

Thus, the plurality of horizontal panels 75 can provide for a cover 10 which is more robust and easier to manufacture. An example of how the panels 75 are attached to form the cover 10 is shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C and further in FIGS. 6A to 6D.

Accordingly, there is provided herein an example of a protective cover having a plurality of panels 75.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 6D, the cover 10 can include or be formed of a plurality of adjoining panels 75, where each panel 80 of the plurality of panels 75, extends along at least a portion of a length 85 of the cover 10. The panels 75 can be formed, at an angle to an axis along the length 85 of the cover 10. Thus, each of the plurality of panels 85 can be formed at a transverse angle to a longitudinal axis along the length of the cover 10. Furthermore, each of the plurality of panels 75 can extend laterally about the protective cover 10. Notably, each of the plurality of panels 75 can be positioned substantially parallel to each adjoining panel 80.

in these examples, the plurality of adjoining panels 75, extend around one or more sides 90 of the protective cover 10. It will be appreciated that in use, this can protect the rails of a surf craft or the like, when the surf craft (not shown) is inserted into the cover 10. Notably, at least some of the plurality of panels 75 may also include an insulation layer disposed underneath the material of the panel 80. Thus, the panels 75 may be formed of inelastic material 25 and have a layer of insulation underneath, which can provide a strong cover for protecting surf craft.

Thus, the plurality of adjoining panels 75 can include a series of panels 80 as shown in the figures where the panels 80 are connected together, and in one example, are stitched together.

Furthermore, the size of each of the plurality of panels 80 can be substantially similar along at least the portion of the length of the protective cover 10. As described herein the cover 10 can have an open end 40 and a closed end 45 and thus the size of each of the plurality of panels 75 may decrease as proximity towards the closed end 40 increases. Accordingly, the size of the panels can decrease as you get closer towards the closed end 40. Additionally, the number of the plurality of panels 75 (for example, the number of panels in a row) may also increase per unit length nearer to the closed end 45.

In a further example, the plurality of panels 75 may form a lower surface 20 and an upper surface 15 of the protective cover 10 by connecting to an elongate strip or material 35.

The elongate strip 35 can be formed substantially in the middle of the upper and/or the lower surfaces of the protective cover 10 and each of the plurality of panels 75 can be stitched at one panel end 95A to one side of the elongate strip 98A and at another opposing panel end 95B to the opposing side 98B of the elongate strip 35.

As shown, in FIGS. 6A to 6D, various designs of the panels in accordance with the elongate strip may be shown. Thus for example, FIG. 6A shows panels 75 attached to the elongate strip 35 at one end 95B. FIG. 6A shows the elongate strip 35 is formed only on one surface and in this particular example formed at the upper surface 15 and not formed at the lower surface 20. Thus, when the upper surface 15 and the lower surface 20 are brought together, the panel end 95A of the panel 80 is pulled around and stitched to the side 98A of the elongate strip 35. Thus each ends 95A and 95B of the panel 80 can be formed on the same surface of the cover 10, by being attached to respective sides 98A and 98B of the elongate strip 35. Similarly, FIG. 6C shows an elongate strip 35 which is of a different colour or form to the elongate strip of FIG. 6A.

In another example, FIG. 6B and 6D show two elongate strips 35 formed at both the upper surface 15 and the lower surface 20.

In this particular example, as there is an elongate strip 35A on the upper surface 15 of the cover 10, and an elongate strip 35B on the lower surface 20 of the cover 10, the panel 80 attaches to both the elongate strip 35A and 35B, where the panel end 95A attaches to the side 98B of the elongate strip 35B whereas the panel end 95B attaches to the elongate strip 35A.

Thus, in these particular examples, the panel ends 95A and 95B are substantially horizontal and can wrap around to join or stitch together to the sides 98A and 98B of elastic material 35. It will be appreciated, however, that the panels 80 can be formed at any angle to the elastic strip 35.

Thus, the plurality of panels 75 can allow for the cover 10 to be constructed in a way which does not typically require stitching around most of the perimeter of the cover 10. Thus, this provides a narrower or slimmer template for the cover 10 and further as the panel 75 wrap around the rails of a surf craft provided therein, continuous foam coverage around the surf craft rails can be achieved which can provide further uninterrupted in protection of the surf craft in at least these regions.

It will further be appreciated that many materials can be used for form the cover 10. For example, the inelastic material 25 can be formed by polyethylene tarpaulin, silver polyethylene, polyester fabric, polyurethane or polyvinylchloride (PVC). The material can also include nylon or polypropylene webbing for pockets or the like within the cover 10. The elastic material 35, can be formed from neoprene, Nufoam™, TPU elastomer, acrylic textile, or any material which acts like a foam.

The elastic material can also be tear resistant and air permeable (breathable). Thus, for example, the elastic material can be formed of a material which allows the cover to breathe and thus the cover is ventilated through perforations in the material which can reduce heat accumulation within the cover.

Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1-25. (canceled)
 26. A protective cover for a surf craft, the cover being formed of a plurality of adjoining panels, each of the plurality of panels extending along at least a portion of a length of the cover and being formed at an angle to an axis along the length of the protective cover.
 27. The protective cover of claim 26, wherein each of the plurality of panels is formed at a transverse angle to a longitudinal axis along the length of the protective cover.
 28. The protective cover of claim 26, wherein each of the plurality of panels extends laterally about the protective cover.
 29. The protective cover of claim 26, wherein the plurality of adjoining panels extend around the one or more sides of the protective cover.
 30. The protective cover of claim 28, wherein the plurality of adjoining panels includes a series of panels stitched together.
 31. The protective cover of claim 26, wherein each of the plurality of panels is positioned substantially parallel to each adjoining panel.
 32. The protective cover of claim 28, wherein the size of each of the plurality of panels is substantially similar along at least a portion of the length of the protective cover.
 33. The protective cover of claim 32, wherein the cover has a closed end and an openable end opposite the closed end, the size of each of the plurality of panels decreases as proximity towards the closed end increases.
 34. The protective cover of claim 33, wherein a number of the plurality of panels increases per unit of length nearer the closed end.
 35. The protective cover of claim 28, wherein the plurality of panels form a lower surface and/or an upper surface of the protective cover, by connecting to an elongate strip.
 36. The protective cover of claim 35, wherein the elongate strip is formed substantially in the middle of the upper surface and/or the lower surface of the protective cover and each of the plurality of panels are stitched at one panel end to one side of the elongate strip, and at another opposing panel end to an opposing side of the elongate strip.
 37. The protective cover of claim 28, wherein at least some of the plurality of panels includes an insulation layer disposed underneath.
 38. The protective cover of claim 26, wherein the cover also includes: the cover having an upper surface and a lower surface and being formed primarily of a substantially inelastic material and including an elastic portion formed of an elastic material, wherein the elastic portion is configured to allow a dimension of the cover to be expanded.
 39. The protective cover of claim 38, wherein the elastic portion allows for the width of the cover to be expanded.
 40. The protective cover of claim 38, wherein the elastic portion includes an elongate strip of the elastic material extending substantially longitudinally along a section of the cover.
 41. The protective cover of claim 40, wherein the elongate strip extends along at least half the length of the cover.
 42. The protective cover of claim 40, wherein the elongate strip extends along at least two thirds the length of the cover.
 43. The protective cover of claim 40, wherein the elongate strip is located on any one or a combination of: a) the upper surface; and, b) the lower surface.
 44. The protective cover of claim 43, wherein the elongate strip is formed substantially in the middle of the upper surface, the lower surface, or both the upper surface and the lower surface.
 45. The protective cover of claim 40, wherein the width of the elongate strip is less than one half of the width of the cover. 